Andros Beaches

Andros Isalnd is perfect for an unusual vacation in a beautiful area not yet in the desires of mass tourism. Despite being the second largest of the Cyclades Islands, you can enjoy days of absolute rest without being in complete nothing and organize days that in the end are never enough to visit everything.

A peaceful, pure and genuine island, a small corner of Eden for those who love hiking, but also for lovers of the sea and beaches, and still for those who like to wander around and discover villages frozen in time with an almost magical atmosphere , in short, the opportunities to always do something different in Andros are certainly not lacking.

But let's focus now on its beaches, here is a simple trace of the coasts to see with panoramas and a postcard sea and as always the rule applies that if you discover new ones, let us know so as to give other visitors the opportunity to enjoy of so much generosity of Mother Nature.

We find Achla beach in the western part about halfway up the island, just six kilometers from the capital. One of the most popular of Andros for its very wild and uncontaminated charm, it has a coastline of small clear stones mixed with gravel, clear, transparent waters and an emerald sea. Its peculiarity is the small river that has created a fairy forest of giant plane trees behind it where you can find some coolness during the hot hours of the day. It is not equipped everything here is in its original and natural state so if you want to stay all day during your vacation in Andros, bring everything you need. Getting there by land is almost a nightmare, better if you opt for a 4x4 which greatly facilitates the arrival given that the road is unpaved and rough. Another more comfortable and less demanding alternative by sea.

Certainly the most popular of Andros is the beach of Tris Grias to Pidima also called as "the leap of the old woman" around which there are several legends that speak of an old woman who naively allowed the Turks to conquer the castle and out of shame he took his own life by jumping off the cliff. The great monolith that emerges as if by magic from the sea would actually be the poor petrified granny. We find it in the southeast part near the village of Korthi. Clear sand with a light blue sea with slightly rough vaulted waters but in a wonderful naturalistic context. Also not equipped and not easy to reach due to a very steep descent that can be easily done but it would be better to have closed shoes and not flip flops

Zorkos beach is in the north east part of Andros just above the village of Gavrio. Wedged in a beautiful bay, it has a golden sandy beach, crystal clear waters with different shades of blue with a few rocks around which, when the sun is high, allow you to shelter and find a little shade. Surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains, at sunset it is a true oasis of peace, only silence broken by the waves of the sea. Given its position it is often subject to winds but it is still a nice destination to be included among the things to see in Andros. It is partially equipped while a vast area is completely free. For catering there is a small traditional tavern where you will find water and food. The road to get there is comfortable and paved as well as perfect for admiring a magnificent view of the Aegean Sea.

Vitali beach is in a north-easterly direction about fifteen kilometers from the town of Gavrio. An isolated coast that allows good privacy as well as a lot of tranquility. Surrounded by rocks that protect it, it is made up of small light-colored pebbles, deep waters, warm and crystalline waters. The sea is a breathtaking turquoise. It is equipped with a few sunbeds and umbrellas, but if you are more of a do-it-yourself lover, there is no shortage of place to hang your towel. You can also take advantage of the rocks to have a few moments of coolness and shade. It has a typical tavern only during the summer period where you can enjoy excellent dishes of Greek and local cuisine. Getting there is easy, a wonderful route through the island that passes from the mountain until it joins the sea with a paved stretch and the final part for about three kilometers on a dirt road. Again it would be better to rent a 4x4 car.

Chalkolimionas beach is southwest of Andros where the archaeological zone of Stavropeda is located. A long sandy beach mixed with small stones, with clear, crystalline and let's face it a little chilly waters with a turquoise sea with a gently sloping seabed, perfect for families with children and lovers of fishing or snorkelling where they will find something to have fun. It is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas while for something to drink or eat you can find everything at the bar located just behind the shore. If you want to take a break from the beach, there are numerous archaeological sites nearby such as Strofilia and Zagora, the latter of great importance as there are the remains of a temple of the Goddess Artemis, guardian deity of Andros.

Syneti beach is undoubtedly a favorite of the locals (they know a lot of it of course...) and is located in the southeast area about seven kilometers from the capital Chora of Andros. A spectacular bay that offers a coastline of small white stones, clear and transparent waters with an intense blue sea even more accentuated by the white of the beach. Along the tip of Mount Korovoulo that surrounds Syneti, stupendous sea caves perfect for snorkelers, as well as natural trampolines where you can enjoy acrobatic dives. Despite the high rocks behind it, Syneti beach is quite exposed to the winds making the waters almost always a bit choppy, therefore only for expert swimmers. It is not equipped, you can put yourself where you feel most inspired and enjoy a wonderful day at the beach during your vacation in Andros. A restaurant bar within walking distance for something fresh to drink and eat. It can be reached by an easy paved road.

Vlychada beach is on the northwest side of Andros about ten kilometers from the village of Gavrio. It is classified as one of the most beautiful on the island with a shore of soft and fine clear sand, transparent and crystalline waters with a turquoise sea. All around a barren and almost lunar territory, a favorite destination for lovers of tranquility and privacy. It is divided by an imposing rock formation that gives even more of a wild scent. It is not equipped and there is no natural shade so if you decide to spend the day bring everything including an umbrella. Its position is extremely remote and perhaps it is precisely because of the difficulty in reaching it that it preserves it from mass tourism. It is necessary to have your own vehicle, better a 4x4 since we are talking about almost six kilometers of dirt road to go.

Pyrgos Beach, we find it in the northwest area of the island about fifteen kilometers from the village of Gavrio. Also almost still in its primordial state, it has a small sandy coast with an uncontaminated blue sea. Some rock formations that surround it are a playground for snorkelers where you can discover many fish and maybe even go fishing. It is not equipped, a real oasis of peace and nature so remember to bring everything you need from water to food and something to shelter you from the hot sun rays.. Its name is due to the tower (pyrgos in Greek means tower ) whose ruins are just above the beach and are part of the three Venetian-era castles of Andros. Reaching it is an adventure, a dirt road that also touches other beaches such as Kaminaki beach and Vlychada beach is the only way to get there, so even in this case it is better to have a quad or a jeep

Fellos beach is less than four kilometers northwest of Gavrio in the homonymous bay. Long of soft light sand, an intense blue sea, transparent and clean waters perfect for those who love to enjoy long swims. It is very popular with snorkelers and fishing enthusiasts as its seabed is full of fish to admire and catch. It is not equipped but on the other hand it is surrounded by trees which give natural shade when the sun is at its peak. If you decide to spend the whole day there, remember to bring food and drink with you as there are refreshment points not even talking about them. It can be reached easily, the road is all paved and there is also a parking lot where you can leave your vehicle, which is essential as there are no public services that reach here. It should be emphasized that nearby but reachable only by sea there are two other pearls, the beach of Selki and the beach of Korutalis where fishermen generally stop to sell the catch that supplies the taverns in the neighboring areas.

Agios Petros Beach is the largest on the Andros Island, three kilometers from the town of Gavrio then in a northwesterly direction. A long expanse of soft gold-colored sand, transparent and clear waters, a sparkling blue sea from the seabed that descends slowly, much appreciated by families with children and for those who love to swim. Given its size, it is never crowded, even in high season, on the beach of Agios Petros, one comes for a day of total relaxation and to enjoy the sea. It is partly equipped and partly completely free so you can put yourself wherever you like. As for catering, you will find some taverns where you can delight your taste buds, bars, shops and for the more sporty, water sports centres.

Kypri beach is located in the northwest of the island of Andros, in an optimal position as it is set in a beautiful bay with a small promontory on the right that shelters it from the veins. Soft sand bathed by transparent waters, a sea that goes from blue to turquoise from the seabed that slopes down slowly where the little ones can play safely. It is equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds and three beach bars for something cool to drink or eat. One comes to Kypri beach for its absolute tranquility without renouncing modern conveniences. Fans of sports such as windsurfing will find a well-stocked equipment rental centre.

The Golden Sand beach also called Chrysi Ammos or Psili Ammos, we find it in the northwest of the island a couple of kilometers from the lively town of Gavrio. Its favorable position constantly shelters it from the winds making it perfect for a day at the beach but be careful, given its small size it fills up quickly so it is better to go there in the morning if you want to find sunbeds and umbrellas still available. A beach of soft golden sand (here it is much more intense than in other beaches), clean and turquoise waters with a beach bar where you can stock up on refreshing drinks and where you can satiate your stomach. It is much loved by young people as in the evening during the summer fun events are organized where you can stay up late and meet new friends. It can be reached very easily via a paved road that goes directly to the shore.

Batsi Beach is the city shoreline of the bustling and picturesque resort town of Andros. To the northwest in the middle of the hills and its natural port, it is always protected from the winds and has a sandy coast surrounded by tamarisk trees that provide shade during the hottest moments of the day. Needless to say now, the sea is beautiful and clean, it has a gently sloping seabed, thus becoming a playground for the little ones who can play until they drop to the delight of the adults who in turn can enjoy the day in total relaxation. It is one of the best equipped of Andros with a wide choice of sunbeds, umbrellas, bars, typical taverns, restaurants, shops and various water sports centers to keep fit, try new emotions and challenge old or new friends.

Stivari beach, on the other hand, is located very close to another important seaside resort, the picturesque village of Batsi. In the northwest part in an extremely quiet position, it offers a shore of sand mixed with rocks that also extend into the sea, transparent and clean waters with shallow waters much appreciated by lovers of swimming and those who like to fish. The environment that surrounds it is rich in luxuriant vegetation which offers shelter when the sun is particularly hot. Being the city beach, it is equipped with everything and you will be spoiled for choice on where to go and where to eat. Despite being right in one of the most requested villages for a holiday in Andros, it is hardly overcrowded, you can also have hours of complete tranquility. It can be reached very easily, from the port keep to the right and you will arrive in less than eight hundred meters downwards.

Apothikes beach is southwest on the road that also leads to Chalkolimionas beach below the Stavropeda archaeological zone. A delightful bay that offers a sandy beach with a clear blue sea. Its name is curious, which means "warehouses" due to the sheds present which served in the past as storage for small boats. Its rocks that surround it are ideal for lovers of spearfishing and snorkelling as they are rich in fish fauna and flora. It is not equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, you can spread out your beach towel where you feel most inspired and if you are lucky even under the shade of one of the fig trees which are very few so first come first served.

Mylos beach is in the southeast area of Andros island near the village of Ormos Korthiou. A sandy coast bathed by crystalline blue waters which, however, given the position is often lashed by the winds, therefore perfect for water sports lovers and a little less so if you want a relaxing day. Equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar, it owes its name to an ancient windmill located in the center of the coast (mylos in Greek means mill). Nearby there are some typical taverns where you can taste the delicacies of the classic Greek or local cuisine as well as something refreshing to drink.

Gialia beach is located on the east side in the middle of the Andros Island less than three kilometers from the capital Chora. Hidden in a small bay, it has a beach made up of small pebbles bathed by a turquoise sea with clear and clean waters, all surrounded by plane and poplar trees that offer a providential shade in the hottest moments. Despite its position, it is often subject to the winds but the context is so beautiful that it fades into the background. It is perfect for snorkelers thanks to its rocks which are home to a lively marine flora and fauna. It is not equipped at all everything is in its natural state so if you want to spend the day there, remember to take everything you need in the nearby village of Stenies where you can also take the opportunity to stop in one of its fabulous taverns.

Just past Gialia beach, we find Piso Gialia beach which, despite its proximity, has a totally different atmosphere. She too has a shore of small stones and a screaming sea, but unlike her older sister, she is super-equipped and almost always super-crowded especially by young tourists thanks to a lively beach bar that accompanies the days with music , theme nights and exotic cocktails. Getting there is easy the only difficulty if you can call it that are the twenty steps down but if you are sober it will really be a walk.